Al-Ahli Host Al-Khaleej in Crucial Saudi Pro League Encounter
JEDDAH, 20 January 2026 – Fourth-placed Al-Ahli Saudi FC welcome eighth-placed Al-Khaleej Saihat FC to the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium this evening in a pivotal Saudi Pro League fixture. With both teams in strong recent form, the match promises to be a compelling contest as the league season approaches its midway point.
Match Preview & Team News
The match is scheduled to kick off at 5.30pm UTC (8.30pm local time). Al-Ahli, managed by Matthias Jaissle, come into the fixture on the back of a five-match winning streak in the league. Their squad boasts significant international talent, including forwards Ivan Toney and Riyad Mahrez, midfielder Franck Kessié, and defender Merih Demiral. They will be without first-choice goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, who is suspended.
Al-Khaleej, under the guidance of Georgios Donis, have also found form, winning three of their last four league matches. Their attack is led by the experienced Joshua King and Greek international Konstantinos Fortounis, who leads the league in big chances created. The visitors report a fully fit squad with no unavailable players.
League Standings & Key Statistics
| Team | Position | Played | Points | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Al-Ahli Saudi FC | 4th | 15 | 34 | W W W W W |
| Al-Khaleej Saihat FC | 8th | 15 | 24 | L D W W W |
Head-to-Head Record & Recent Form
History heavily favours the hosts. Al-Ahli are unbeaten in their last ten meetings against Al-Khaleej, recording six wins and four draws. Al-Ahli’s defence has been the most resilient in the competition this season, keeping a league-high eight clean sheets. In contrast, Al-Khaleej have not kept a clean sheet in their last eight matches across all competitions.
Al-Khaleej’s most recent outing was a 3-2 defeat to league leaders Al-Hilal on 26 December 2025, a match in which they mounted a spirited second-half fightback with goals from Joshua King and Giorgos Masouras.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does Al-Ahli vs Al-Khaleej kick off?
The Saudi Pro League match is scheduled to begin at 5.30pm UTC (8.30pm local time in Saudi Arabia) on Tuesday 20 January 2026.
Where is the match being played?
The fixture will be held at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium (Alinma Bank Stadium) in Jeddah.
Who are the key players to watch?
For Al-Ahli, striker Ivan Toney (11 league goals) and playmaker Riyad Mahrez will be crucial. For Al-Khaleej, watch for Joshua King in attack and Konstantinos Fortounis, who creates the most big chances in the league.
What is the historical record between these teams?
Al-Ahli have dominated recent encounters, going unbeaten in the last ten matches (6 wins, 4 draws). Al-Khaleej’s last victory in this fixture dates back several seasons.